12/27/2025
JANUARY EVENTS!!
At the time this magazine went to print, all event times and locations were accurate, but please check event websites for the most current information. Some events may have been postponed or canceled. Utilize your search engine of choice, website or social media platform to learn more about and/or confirm these and other local events.
Ongoing
Saturdays through April 25
Champaign-Urbana Winter Farmers Market
Square Mall, 201 Lincoln Square, Urbana
Shop for meat, poultry, eggs, vegetables, baked goods and a whole host of amazing items from local vendors throughout the winter in CU.
8 am to 12 pm
Cost: Free to enter
https://thelandconnection.org/champaign-urbana-winter-farmers-market/
The last Sunday of every month
Knit at Nite
Literary Books and Bar, 122 N. Neil St., Champaign
If you love to knit, head to The Literary on the last Sunday of every month to meet other knitters and work in the same space.
5 pm to 8 pm
Cost: Free
https://literarybookbar.com/ and scroll to Events
Every Monday
The Urbana Hootenany
Bowl Tavern, 106 N. Race St., # 1, Urbana
Bring your favorite instrument and join other local musicians onstage for a jam session!
8 pm
Cost: Free to participate
https://rosebowltavern.com/ and click on Calendar
Tuesdays through December
Baby Steps Walking Group
and Wellness Center, 2002 W. Washington St., Urbana
If you’re expecting or are parent to an infant, come meet other parents of littles and get a walking workout while you socialize.
10 am to 11 am
Cost: Free; registration optional and allows for email reminders
https://www.urbanaparks.org/calendar/events/free--baby-steps-for-moms
Wednesdays
Paint @ Your Pace
Studios, 1207 S. Mattis Ave., #3, Champaign
Bring your art materials or purchase some from the studio in this open studio time that allows you to work on your latest projects in a community environment.
6 pm to 11 pm
Cost: Contact studio
https://www.prismstudiospaint.com/classes
Every Wednesday at Rose Bowl Tavern
Trivia Night
Bowl Tavern, 106 N. Race St., # 1, Urbana
Bring your team of six players to compete in five rounds of trivia based on pop culture and heckling skills; prizes are given for first and second place.
7:15 pm sign up; 7:30 pm to 10 pm play
Cost: Free to sign up
https://rosebowltavern.com/ and click on Calendar
Every Friday
Flour & Fire Pizza Co. Food Truck at Triptych Brewing
Brewing, 1703 Woodfield Dr., Savoy
If you love Flour & Fire Pizza Co., here’s your chance to enjoy it in another part of town.
4:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Cost: Prices vary based on individual menu items
https://flourandfirepizza.com/where-were-kneaded
Every Saturday
Morrissey Park parkrun
Park, 1209 Harrington Dr., Champaign
Join other running—or walking!—enthusiasts on this 5K trip that lets you set your own pace and ends with a fun trip to Pandamonium Doughnuts.
9 am
Cost: Free but registration required
https://www.parkrun.us/morrisseypark/
Saturdays at The Literary
Children’s Story Time
Literary, 122 N. Neil St., Champaign
Come to the newest, coolest bookstore in town twice a week for children’s story time where staff share stories and songs by the fireplace.
3:30 pm to 4:10 pm
Cost: Free
https://literarybookbar.com/
Throughout January
Champaign Jewelers honors the Charity of the Month: Courage Connection
Jewelers, 2437 Village Green Pl., Champaign
Every month Champaign Jewelers highlights a charity and offers customers free watch battery replacements and link adjustments with a cash contribution of any size to the Charity of the Month.
During store hours
Cost: Free
https://courageconnection.org
Happening this month
Fridays in January
Winter Prairie Skies
Staerkel Planetarium, 2400 W. Bradley Ave., Champaign
Meet with a planetarium representative to get a live narration of the winter sky, and learn about some of the ancient stories ruling our stars.
7 pm to 8 pm
Cost: $7 for Parkland students, staff, children and seniors; $8 for general admission
https://www.parkland.edu/Audience/Community-Business/Parkland-Presents/Planetarium
January 1
Skateland 2026 Family New Year’s Day Party
, 208 W. Curtis Rd., Savoy
Start the new year with a fun, family-friendly party where you get to enjoy skating and meeting special guests Elsa and Olaf.
1 pm to 5 pm
Cost: $8.50 plus skate rental per person or $40 family pack (admission for 4, skate rental, 1 pizza, soda)
https://skatelandsavoy.com/events-parties
January 2
The Farms: Winter Bird Hikes
Park and Retreat Center, 515 Old Timber Rd., Monticello
Allerton staff will take you through the beautiful grounds to look for the woodpeckers, owls and many other birds that make Allerton home in the winter.
9 am to 11 am
Cost: $10 per person
https://allerton.illinois.edu/events/winter-bird-hikes2/
January 5
Young Professional Resource Group
County Chamber of Commerce, 303 W. Kirby Ave., Champaign
If you’re under the age of 38 and are early in your professional career, come to this roundtable discussion and networking group where you can meet others in the same place.
8:30 am to 9:30 am
Cost: Free but must be a Chamber member business
https://www.champaigncounty.org/ and go to Calendar
January 6
Puzzling Colors Club for Adults
Free Library, 210 W. Green St., Urbana
This club meets on the first Tuesday of each month for those who want to color or puzzle away their stress and meet new friends.
6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
https://urbanafreelibrary.libnet.info/event/14611161
January 7
Writers Lounge
Public Library, 200 W. Green St., Champaign
If you’re a writer and want to connect with others who enjoy the craft, come to this informal conversation where writers discuss everything from characters to the writing life.
7 pm to 8 pm
Cost: Free; registration encouraged
https://champaign.org/event/writers-lounge-14895993
January 9
Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour
State Farm Center, 1800 S. First St., Champaign
Celebrate 100 years of the iconic team that showed that sports transcend all barriers and can be entertaining all at the same time.
6 pm
Cost: Tickets start at $42
https://www.statefarmcenter.com/events/detail/globetrotters100
January 10 to 11
Winter Pickleball Tournament
@ Leonhard Recreation Center, 2307 Sangamon Dr., Champaign
Bring or join a team for this tournament or come cheer on your friends and other pickleball enthusiasts in this winter-friendly sport.
10 am to 6 pm both days
Cost: Early bird $40 per person to register team; $45 per person for regular registration
https://champaignparks.org/event/winter-pickleball-tournament/2026-01-10/
January 15
Puzzle Wars Championship
Recreation Center, 1311 Church St., Champaign
Bring your team of four to compete against other teams to assemble the same puzzle in the fastest time possible, which could win you prizes and bragging rights.
6 pm to 8 pm
Cost: $20 per team
https://champaignparks.org/event/puzzle-wars-championship/
January 15
Repair Café Urbana
Champaign Independent Media Center, 202 S. Broadway, Urbana
If you need small items or clothes that need fixing, bring them to the Repair Café where mentors will help you through the process of repairing your things or take care of the fix for you.
7 pm to 9 pm
Cost: Free
https://makerspaceurbana.org/event/repair-cafe/
January 17
2nd Annual Community Seed Exchange
Gratia Farm, 1821 E. Mumford Dr., Urbana
If you save seeds and would like to swap them with others, come to this event where you can exchange seeds, knowledge and the excitement about growing plants.
2 pm to 4 pm
Cost: Free; consider a $10 contribution at the door toward food insecurity
https://www.solagratiacsa.com/events/2nd-annual-community-seed-exchange
January 18
Matinee at the Library: Wicked (2024)
Public Library, 200 W. Green St., Champaign
Experience the worldwide phenomenon again (or for the first time) in a screening at the library that tells the story of misunderstood Elphaba and Galinda, the preening young woman who wants to help her.
2 pm to 5 pm
Cost: Free
https://champaign.org/event/matinee-at-the-library-wicked-15201770
January 21
Climb Back to Campus
and Recreation Center (ARC,) 201 E. Peabody Dr., Champaign
Welcoming everyone back from winter break, this fun climbing wall event is for new climbers and experienced ones alike.
9 pm to 11 pm
Cost: Free
https://campusrec.illinois.edu/ and click on View All Events
January 23
Neko Case: Neon Grey Midnight Green Tour
Virginia Theatre, 203 W. Park Ave., Champaign
Indie rock and country noir standout out Neko Case is on tour with her ninth album along with her greatest hits as part of a career that spans nearly 30 years.
7:30 pm
Cost: Tickets start at $39.50 plus processing fees
https://thevirginia.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1067
January 24
Big Time Rush: The College Dropout Tour
State Farm Center, 1800 S. First St., Champaign
Enjoy the music of this band that got its start on Nickelodeon on a TV show about four kids who are pulled from a hockey team to become a boy band who became a band in real life.
7 pm
Cost: Tickets start at $47.45
https://www.statefarmcenter.com/events/detail/btr
January 25
The Farms: Lino Cuts and Prints
Park and Retreat Center, 515 Old Timber Rd., Monticello
Learn about printmaking processes, and make your own unique work of art using tools like plants, fabric, wood and metal.
12 pm to 4 pm
Cost: $135 per person
https://allerton.illinois.edu/events/lino-cuts-prints/
January 29
Family Fun Night
Public Library, 200 W. Green St., Champaign
Families with school-aged children, join library staff on Thursday evenings for games, crafts, STEAM activities and more.
6:30 pm to 7:15 pm
Cost: Free
https://champaign.org/event/family-fun-night-14632848
January 30
Cirque Kalabanté
Festival Theatre, Krannert Center, 500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana
Enjoy incredible artistry and acrobatics in a show that celebrates African culture and music specific to the country of Guinea.
7:30 pm
Cost: $10 U of I students/youth; $15 other students; $25 senior citizens; $30 general admission
https://krannertcenter.com/events/cirque-kalabant%C3%A9
January 30 to January 31
UI-Con 2026
Conference Center, 1900 S. First St., Champaign
This event is back for another year to provide the CU community a cost-effective, reachable event where people can gather to discuss their favorite anime and comics.
Time: TBD
Cost: Free
https://www.ui-con.org/
January 31
Local Author Fair
Public Library, 200 W. Green St., Champaign
Come talk to local authors from CU and the surrounding area, buy their books and discover your next favorite read.
2 pm to 5 pm
Cost: Free to attend
https://champaign.org/event/local-author-fair-14887547
January 31 to February 1
Champaign Comic Book Toy Show
Place Shopping Center, 2000 N. Neil St., Champaign
If you love comic books and classic toys, this event is for you where you’ll get to celebrate all things pop culture as well as cosplay, vinyl and more.
10 am to 5 pm on January 31; 12 pm to 5 pm on February 1
Cost: Free to attend
https://www.facebook.com/events/1456106862294264/?acontext=%7B
